Amusing CCF anecdote.
by John Boss.
Given that I shone neither in the classroom or on the sports field, it is not surprising that I have not yet featured in the reminiscences submitted to this website. However, a recent e-mail from John Boxwell reminding me of a long forgotten incident, has tempted me to recount a further incident in the CCF where I claim to have at least held my own with my peers but which was not without its problems. One Field Day, all sergeants attended a briefing carried out by our officers a.k.a. schoolmasters; about the part to be played by our individual platoons in that afternoon’s grand battle. Suitably briefed, we returned to our platoons to brief them in turn on their role in the battle plan. There was just one problem. I couldn’t find my platoon. They weren’t where they were supposed to be. Reporting this fact wasn’t the greatest moment in my military career. The decision was taken that I would carry out my platoon’s attack on my own which I duly did to my acute embarrassment. Battle having been duly waged, my lost platoon then reappeared, having been on a different part of the hillside and no doubt wondering what had happened to their sergeant . Back at school, I was summoned to attend a court of enquiry which I was advised would determine whether I would be court martialled with its visions of being cashiered or even, in extremis, shot at dawn. Time and increasing age has dimmed my memory of the court of enquiry. I think this stage of the process was left to my peers. It may have involved Company Sergeant Major Frank Moreland who I found scary in matters military, long before he became an officer in the Royal Marine Commandos. As I recall, there was no significant outcome from the enquiry. Presumably I blamed my subordinate N.C.O’s for the debacle and in due course was promoted to the rank of Company QuarterMaster Sergeant; though no doubt there is a note on my military record to the effect that I am not competent to command troops in battle. As to what might really have happened, I am sure it is just a matter of coincidence, that in the last twenty years of hillwalking, it is my wife who is responsible for any map reading.Click here to return to the main Memorabilia page
A Jim Thompsett story.
by his friend Roy Seymour.
From: Roy Seymour Sent: Tuesday, 13 March 2012 4:54 PM To: John Cummings Subject: Story for the website? Hi John, I wonder if you think the attached little story I have put together relating to Jim Thompsett is worth being included somewhere on the site. If so, maybe I’ll try to put something together for Alan Anderton who was also quite a good friend of mine from both Alfred Sutton Primary and Reading School. Cheers – Roy.As Jim Thompsett is sadly no longer with us, I thought I would pen a brief humorous story of my friend that has remained in my memory. In later years (4th and 5th) Jim and I chased many a girl or two together, but this story pertains to one of the great tennis ball soccer games when we were in second year. Many of you may remember that below the third form we were relegated to the small area between the quad library and entrance to the locker rooms for our lunchtime games. Bertie Arnold and the higher up classes held claim to the big “pitch” in the quad, but that did not dampen our enthusiasm at all.
Jim was very active and somewhat aggressive at soccer, and being quite tall always fancied himself as being number one when it came to nodding one in. Jim also would make a point to always slam it home even from very short range at any time. At this point I would like to point out that he also fancied himself as a natty dresser. On this particular day, the forgoing proved to be a bit of a problem.
The lunchtime game is underway and as the ball finds its way to Jim’s left foot, he takes a big hard swing and the ball heads toward the goal at the covered end, his shoe (being a natty new slip-on style) heads up in the air and on to the roof of the covered quad. Following some laughter and a few “Oh shits”, someone decides he should go and retrieve it. Jim decides to shin up the green water pipe next to the door to the locker rooms. He eventually gets up ok and retrieves his shoe from the roof. Coming down however was not as easy, particularly as a Prefect has appeared. Jim quickly found out how many fair weather friends he had at that point. Later, many claimed they had to start running in order to not miss second sitting for lunch in Junior School and the wrath of “Boney”. I felt obligated to stay, albeit from a safe distance then Jim and I later ran down to lunch together. We were not late. Jim never got detention for this. I’m pretty sure the Prefect was John Gardiner.
I’m not certain about the others, but I know that Sandy Phillips, Mike Robinson, John North and possibly John Cummings, Mickey Cleere, John Lewer and Barrie Sloan may have also been there.
After Jim and I had left school, we often had a chuckle about that day.
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Further to: Norman Wiseman, Michael Shorter and the charismatic Dez Maule – see below.
by Dez Maule.
The reference to Bob Coombs reminded me that I spent most of my time at Reading School in the company of the 1953 intake with pupils such as Bob Coombs who was one of my classmates during my final year in Form 5.2. This was because I had a year in hospital suffering from TB eighteen months after entering Reading School in September 1952 and resumed my place at the School with the “Class of ’53” along with Brown AJS and Lumley J who also “lost” a year through contracting TB. Our Form Master in Form 5.2 was Norman Wiseman who drove a pre-war Vauxhall Saloon (I think it was a Vauxhall 14?). The paintwork was so neglected and oxidised that it looked more blue than the black colour it was supposed to be! Rather than give our Form Master the customary Christmas gift of a book token from the class, we decided we would offer to give Norman’s precious car a thorough wash and polish to see if we could restore the Vauxhall to its original colour. Most of the class took part in the “cleanfest” and when the onslaught was finished, the Vauxhall Saloon showed off its bodywork in the shiny deep black worthy of its original showroom condition. I swear there were tears in Norman’s eyes as he viewed our handiwork! The class had a very good relationship with Norman Wiseman and my recent contacts with Bob Coombs brought back many happy memories of my last year at Reading School, albeit in the company of classmates who were a year younger than me!Click here to return to the main Memorabilia page
“Pond” is a dirty word
by Gordon Abington.
I remember a teacher from Germany who was with us to study UK educational methods in 1958 or 1959? I cannot recall his name – so until someone comes back with the correct form I’ll call him Herr Werner. For part of his edification, he was thrown into the Den of the Science Sixth with the close-to-impossible task of getting us (who had no prior interaction with the language) to ‘O” Level German in one year. Place this alongside most of us struggling with preparation for ‘A’ Level Maths/Physics/Chemistry and you would be correct in assuming commitment was the other side of abysmal. Except, I have to acknowledge, for a few of our number who did make the ‘O’ Level grade. Congratulations and come forward to be counted whoever you are! But my reason for offering this anecdote, is that we contrived to convince him that “Pond” was a dirty word! I can’t remember the title of the German Primer we were using (Aufenthalt in Deutschland?) but it was the standard “Peter and Mary” series of adventures. Few of us did what he insisted- that we must do our “Homeworks” (always plural) in preparation for the next class so it generally was a bit of a farce. On this particular exercise, one of us was selected to translate from the German to English. The dialogue went something like this…….. HW: Please (selecting a 52er) translate this exercise to English 52er: (stumbling very slowly through the translation) Peter and Mary were walking through a park and they came to a……(hesitation)…. they came to a …. (still stuck for the word) HW: You must know this word if you did your homeworks. (To the class) Who knows this word? (The silence of ignorance blankets the room!) HW: (getting a tad frustrated with us) The word (shouting for emphasis) is “POND” As to what subconscious communication we shared at that moment, I do not know but there was a collective “Gasp” from us. HW: Why do you express surprise? 52er: You said “Pond”, sir HW: It is just a small lake. 52er: But it has another meaning in English, sir. For the next few classes we would chastise each other if we stumbled over a translation by prefacing our comments with……“You pond!” HW would get flustered waving his hands and saying “You must not use this word” It worked for a week or two but then he wouldn’t rise to the bait. We assumed he must have plucked up courage to ask in The Masters’ Common Room and been told we were pulling his wire. Oh, Happy Days! Click here to return to the main Memorabilia pageMichael (Moses) Shorter
by Gordon Abington.
Reading Dez Maule’s contribution reminded me of the refreshing approach Michael (Moses) Shorter brought to his subject. I can’t remember which year (probably 6th or 7th) when he had the unfortunate task (for him) of keeping the Science Side in touch with English Literature and introduced us to H E Bates’ “The Darling Buds of May”. A bit risqué for the 50s and way before it was brought to the small screen with (now Sir) David Jason, Pam Ferris and Catherine Zeta Jones. It was thought (at least by me) to be avant garde as the other English Masters defined works of merit only to be those penned by authors who had pegged it at least 50 years previously (Shakespeare, Dickens, Scott et al). OK own up. Who out there considers Sir Walter Scott’s Quentin Durward is anything but turgid? It’s the literary equivalent of The Emperor’s New Clothes. We’re told it’s a classic so we don’t want to disagree.For me, Moses’ approach to our edification was a breath of fresh air and is regarded by me with affection to this day.
As a footnote. Although I did not benefit, I believe he introduced Spanish as a language option. Possibly looked down on by the Modern Side of the School in the 50s but much more useful than the other offerings. English, Chinese and Spanish are the dominant languages worldwide. Something the French and Germans have yet to come to terms with!
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Norman Wiseman, Michael Shorter and the charismatic Dez Maule
Extracted by Webmaster from emails from Dez, Bob Coombs and Francis Pocock.
Note from Webmaster – the main reason I am including this reminiscence despite the fact that it concerns the class of 53 is because Dez started out in the class of 52 and many of the class of 52 who stayed on to do ‘A’ levels have spoken very highly of Norman Wiseman. From: Robert Coombs To: Francis John Pocock Date: 7 June 2011 Subject: DEREK MAULE Hello Francis, I found this in this week’s GetReading free paper. I recall Derek, or Dez as he liked to be called, in a classroom in South House, so we must have been in form 52. He was a year older than us so was probably resitting ‘O’ levels. I remember him being a bit over familiar with one or two of the younger members of staff, but he had a certain charm and got away with it! Best Wishes Bob Coombs Note from Webmaster – the item in GetReading was the food parcel item which has been recorded on the Scriptor Fabula page so I left the photo out here. The reason Dez was in the same year as Bob Coombs is not because he was re-sitting his ‘O’ levels but because he, along with AJS Brown and Lumley lost a year because they had suffered a mild dose of TB.From Dez Maule
I was elected Form Captain of form 5.2. The form master was new that year – Norman Wiseman (who also taught us Physics), and we also had another new English master – Michael Shorter. Both relied on me for several essential bits of protocol etc…. as any Form Master would to his Form Captain. In fact, Mike Shorter was still in the RAF finishing his National Service when he joined Reading School. The day after his demob, I wrote on the board, “Welcome to Civvy Street” which everyone – including Mike Shorter, thought was appropriate and very funny. Both Norman Wiseman and Michael Shorter had a very good relationship with the pupils of 5.2. I’d like to think I contributed to that atmosphere. I believe the GCE “O” level results at the end of the year reflected that good relationship. They certainly did with me! I obviously made an impression although not the one I thought I had made!!!!!! Click here to return to the main Memorabilia pageRaining moonshine- A great end to the dance!
Sent in by Gordon Abington with comment by David Wiffen
Do any of my fellow artistes remember – The Flamborough Sword Dance? After the sad demise of Reg Black and before Stuckey arrived, in that interregnum we had a PE instructor (drafted from Reading Education Authority, I think) whose contribution to the edification of the sixth form was an introduction to Folk Dancing! We accepted our lot with some enthusiasm and went so far as to perform the dance (clad in duffle coats with the hoods raised) in the Sing-Song under the title “Stonehenge Rock”. David Wiffen managed to smuggle in some moonshine which half-way through the performance he accidentally sprayed over Kemp sitting in the front row. No point in denying it, David, I and several others witnessed it.Gordon
I enjoyed having the memory of the famous Flamborough sword dance, and I had forgotten all about it till this morning. I remember now being on stage, where I was exactly, in my duffle coat , with everybody else, the swords woven into the 8 piece shape, and the cider drink spraying everywhere and the confusion on the stage and in the audience.So I will take the credit for the memory of the evening , the brilliance of the idea, the brains behind bringing a bottle of warm cider shaken up, on stage in someone’s pocket, and the instigator trying to get everyone to have drink at the end of our performance.
So,————- ————— your secret is safe with me.
However –t’was not me – Gordon, I wish it had been!
David Wiffen
My sincerest apologies to David for suggesting he would have the audacity to pull such a stunt and also apologies to the absent perpetrator for not giving credit where due. I remember the stage was a rather tight space for the performance. At one point, as we circled (possibly too rapidly) with arms linked, David, who was of slight build, was nearly propelled from the stage into the front row. My mind has evidently made a link where none existed between those two “front row events”.Gordon
The perpetrator was from the Class of 51 who was presumably repeating a year. But I am not going to divulge his name.John Cummings
Click here to return to the main Memorabilia pageBonk Reddington
It was either Strether or Bonk Redington, that said to Brian Palmer – ” now that the death penalty has been abolished, I can murder you Palmer B ”Duncan
Hi John, I am pretty certain it must have been Bonk – it was certainly more likely to have been him, he really did seem to have a very worrying ‘issue’ with me. He once threw a wooden backed blackboard duster at me in the chemistry lab which hit the raised tap in front of my face, ricocheting off of it narrowly missing my right eye. That led to a complaint from my parents to the Head, after which he ‘backed off’ somewhat. My father – an O.R. – thought that Bonk was one of several masters who had been ‘badly damaged’ by the 1st World War. All very sad, but I think its questionable as to whether he should have been trusted with young lads at all, let alone for so long. Never mind, we move on………. Best Wishes,Brian Palmer
Click here to return to the main Memorabilia pageWhat does INRI mean?
Sent in by Duncan Sturrock
I remember a school soccer match that we played away, I think it was against Carmel College – the pitch was on a 30 degree slope and athough we stayed at 0 – 0 at half time, in the second half we kicked up hill and lost heavily. Phil Hoffler was in goal. After the game we had a sit-down meal below a carved wooden cross in the refectory. One of our team, I don’t remember who – asked “who was INRI? ” which was carved below the crucifix!! Webmaster’s comment I have browsed through the school magazines and this reflection above must have been in the winter of 1957-58 – school magazine May 1958. The Carmel College game was a ‘B’ XI game and was won by Carmel College 10-4 with goals to Hopkins (2), Sturrock and Obee. Wasn’t a good year for school soccer it would seem. The ‘A’ XI played 4 games and lost all 4 with a 5-35 record. The ‘B’ XI played 2 games and lost both with a 5-15 record. The under 15 XI played only 1 game which they lost 1-15 and the under 14 XI played 3 games and lost all 3 with a 0-22 record.Click here to return to the main Memorabilia page
Duncan Sturrock and “Jammy” Johnson and John Hickey and Boney Grigg
Sent in by Gordon Abington
I’d like to share a few memories I have involving other members of our year which, for whatever perverse reason, have refused to give up the space they have claimed in my increasingly fragmented memory. The first involves our latest reunion organiser, Duncan Sturrock. I think it was in the fifth form when “Jammy” Johnson was our Chemistry Master. In one class, for reasons long forgotten, he was sidetracked (a favourite pastime for all of us in so many classes!) into identifying the difference between Oxford and Derby shoe styles. Duncan was wearing one style (it is not important which) and to display that style to the class, Jammy had Duncan stand on one of the stools in the Chemistry Lab. Standing on the stool, Duncan displayed another fad of the 50s era – GREEN FLUORESCENT SOCKS!! Jammy was a stickler for discipline and proper attire and this spectacle sent him close to apoplexy! Am I the only one to remember? (Dave Edwards had a pink pair!! – Duncan) The second involved John Hickey. In fact there are two memories and I am not sure John would be pleased that I remember either! The first was from the day John joined the School in the second form. We were all seated in our 2B Form Room waiting for FHT when a boy who appeared to us to be a fifth-former strode into the room and asked (rather aggressively) “Where do I sit?” Unsurprisingly, the answering chorus from the class of cowering pupils was “Wherever you want!” John was reputed to be the only boy who shaved in Year 2. Moving on to Year 5 or 6 (I am not sure which but 6 I think). We are in the Physics Lecture Room (that tiered room from the back row of which A J Wickens would launch slivers of razor blades slotted into pieces of rubber erasers over the rest of the class – but that’s another story!!) Back to John Hickey who, for reasons lost to my recall, had annoyed Boney Grigg who was standing in the well of the lecture room and ordered John to stand out front. Dutifully, John took his position out front between the master’s bench and the side cupboards. After making some point to the class, Boney turned to write a note on the board only to be confronted with John standing in the space he needed to pass through. At which sight Boney cringed and said “Get away you great brute you frighten me” I am sure John, through his laudable vocation, has a more benign disposition than we perceived in those years and I hope he will forgive my recollections. By the way, does anyone remember Boney’s favourite part of the syllabus – the coefficient of linear expansion of metals? “Everybody quiet while Sir plays choo-choo trains” Scratching on the board a decimal point, umpteen zeroes and a digit. If you weren’t on the Science side and there with Boney this means absolutely nothing to you as it has to be seen and heard. You will never know the excitement you missed!Click here to return to the main Memorabilia page
My memory of my first day in the CCF
Sent in by Trevor Smith
Every time I see Dad’s Army on the box it reminds me of our CCF days. I remember when as young third formers we were thrust into the bosom of the army. No excuses were tolerated and we were all conscripted as if were to the cause. Our first experience was to get kitted out with clothing and rifles. An orderly queue was formed outside the arsenal and we were ushered in one by one. We were met by a pile of shirts, trousers, battledress tops, great coats and all the rest of the equipment that the modern soldier required. The only problem that was clear that was the RSM issuing the clothing was not a fashion guru, and the attitude was that ‘One size fits all’. Each boy was handed clothing as it rose to the top of the pile. Needless to say that the first parade was something of a spectacle. Small boys turned out in great coats which brushed the ground as they stumbled about, whereas tall boys had great coats which barely reached their waists. Trousers were either too long or too short, shirts were either too tight or the top button was half way down the chest. I vividly remember that first parade and the complete chaos that ensued. What a laugh we had!Click here to return to the main Memorabilia page
The Bidding Prayer
Taken from “The History of Reading School” by Michael Naxton
Ye shall pray for Christ’s holy Catholic Church, that is, for the whole congregation of Christian people dispersed throughout the world, and herein especially for the Queen’s most excellent Majesty; for the Ministers of God’s Holy Word and Sacraments; for the High Court of Parliament, and Magistrates, especially those of this Borough; and for the whole Commons of this realm.
Ye shall praise God for the pious and charitable memories of the founders and benefactors of this School.
Of John Thorne, Abbot of Reading;
Of Henry VII, King of England;
Of Sir Thomas White, founder of the College of St. John Baptist in the University of Oxford;
Of William Dene;
Of Elizabeth I, Queen of England;
Of William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury;
Of John Kendrick;
Of Richard Valpy and Robert Appleton, sometime Headmasters;
Of George William Palmer, Privy Councellor;
Of Joseph Wells, Warden of Wadham College in the University of Oxford;
And of all other benefactors, who during more than eight hundred years have laboured, each in his generation to provide opportunities in the School of this Town, for growing in Godliness and sound learning.
Finally, let us praise God for all those who are departed out of this life in the faith of Christ, and pray that we have grace to direct our lives after their good example; that this life ended, we may be partakers with them of the glorious resurrection in the life everlasting.
Amen
Click here to return to the main Memorabilia pageThe School Song
Taken from “The History of Reading School” by Michael Naxton
Eight hundred years or more have passedSince Reading School was founded;
While sun and cloud have come and gone
Her fame has yet resounded,
The slowly gliding centuries
Have brought her full probation,
And still she lives and strengthens still
The bulwarks of the nation.
-And still her song is loud and strong
“Look to the light,
“Strive for the right.
“Floreat Redingensis!’
The noble voices of the past
are clearly to us calling;
Examples of such men as they
Prevent the weaker falling.
So let us in their footsteps tread,
And make this our ambition,
That men may say when we are dead,
“They kept their School’s tradition.”
So let her song rise loud and strong
“Look to the light,
“Strive for the right.
“Floreat Redingensis!”
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The School Grace
Sent in by John Boxwell
What I am sending you is a copy of the school grace as I remember it together with a bash at a translation! It may well be that some of the classics lads can produce a better version. After our stew and mash followed by frog-spawn and jam I remember Boney standing at the end of the table saying, ‘Pass down the spare weapons’ at which the unused kives and forks were collected. Benedic nos Domine, Et haec dona, Quae de tua benignitate, Sumus sumpturi, Per Christum Dominum Nostrum, Amen Bless our Lord and these gifts And grant your blessing as we eat In the name of Christ our Lord AmenClick here to return to the main Memorabilia page